Eco-fashion, a trend or commercially sustainable future?
van den Broek, Casper (2009)
Lataukset:
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2009
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-200909284713
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-200909284713
Tiivistelmä
This dissertation discusses the concept of Eco-Fashion, with the main question being whether the concept is just a trend or has a commercially sustainable future. This question arises because of the implications in relation to the implementation of sustainable development throughout the complete apparel supply chain. Sustainable development is a concept that evolves around three pillars, environmental, social, and economical sustainability, which are all to be implemented throughout each level within the apparel supply chain for the realization of Eco-fashion.
Environmental sustainability seeks for the balancing of the ecosystem. In which all natural resources used for production should be replaced at an equal or even higher rate, without any negative influence upon the environment. This being achieved within the concept of Eco-fashion through organic cultivation. Cultivation without the usage of pesticides and insecticides, or any genetically modified seeds. Conventional cotton cultivation accounts for 25% of the world’s insecticide and 10% of the world’s pesticide usage, whilst covering 2.4 of the world’s arable land.
Further along the supply chain the concept is implemented through utilization of natural dyes, water management and waste management, with continuous R&D seeking environmental substitutes.
Social sustainability evolves around social capital, in which it is important to take all stakeholders into account which are involved in the production process. Which in Eco-fashion can be recognized through the implementation of concepts such as fair-trade, a farmer receiving a fair payment for their cotton with an additional premium for communal purposes, such as education and healthcare. Throughout the supply chain the concept is implemented through management systems such as the Social Accountability 8000 system, looking at standardization of fair working conditions and clean a working environment.
Economical sustainability looks at renewability of resources utilized in the production process. Additionally the maintaining of one’s capital, renewability to be achieved through profit/surplus.
Fair-trade represents economical sustainability within Eco-fashion.
Certification of sustainable development by corporations exist in both governmental and NGO level. Providing a company with a source for proof of their sustainable intent. To be utilized on retail level as marketing tool, a source for competitive advantage selling a product through its sustainable value adding background.
Looking at the PESTEL factors Eco-fashion is assured of political backing, with the EU providing consultation, but freedom in standardization and certification by NGOs. The economical environment is categorized by a crisis, but consumers maintain conscious about the need for CSR, with a high level of consumer awareness and association on sustainable development.
However commercialization is driven by corporate initiative. Through the combination of a consumer pull and corporate push a commercial market is established for Eco-fashion. Nonetheless, great collaboration with NGOs is necessary for combining sustainable development and its implementation throughout the apparel supply chain whilst maintaining a commercial focus seeking profitability.
Environmental sustainability seeks for the balancing of the ecosystem. In which all natural resources used for production should be replaced at an equal or even higher rate, without any negative influence upon the environment. This being achieved within the concept of Eco-fashion through organic cultivation. Cultivation without the usage of pesticides and insecticides, or any genetically modified seeds. Conventional cotton cultivation accounts for 25% of the world’s insecticide and 10% of the world’s pesticide usage, whilst covering 2.4 of the world’s arable land.
Further along the supply chain the concept is implemented through utilization of natural dyes, water management and waste management, with continuous R&D seeking environmental substitutes.
Social sustainability evolves around social capital, in which it is important to take all stakeholders into account which are involved in the production process. Which in Eco-fashion can be recognized through the implementation of concepts such as fair-trade, a farmer receiving a fair payment for their cotton with an additional premium for communal purposes, such as education and healthcare. Throughout the supply chain the concept is implemented through management systems such as the Social Accountability 8000 system, looking at standardization of fair working conditions and clean a working environment.
Economical sustainability looks at renewability of resources utilized in the production process. Additionally the maintaining of one’s capital, renewability to be achieved through profit/surplus.
Fair-trade represents economical sustainability within Eco-fashion.
Certification of sustainable development by corporations exist in both governmental and NGO level. Providing a company with a source for proof of their sustainable intent. To be utilized on retail level as marketing tool, a source for competitive advantage selling a product through its sustainable value adding background.
Looking at the PESTEL factors Eco-fashion is assured of political backing, with the EU providing consultation, but freedom in standardization and certification by NGOs. The economical environment is categorized by a crisis, but consumers maintain conscious about the need for CSR, with a high level of consumer awareness and association on sustainable development.
However commercialization is driven by corporate initiative. Through the combination of a consumer pull and corporate push a commercial market is established for Eco-fashion. Nonetheless, great collaboration with NGOs is necessary for combining sustainable development and its implementation throughout the apparel supply chain whilst maintaining a commercial focus seeking profitability.